Monday, April 30, 2012

"You give them something to eat," He told them. "We have no more than five loaves and two fish," they said, "unless we go and buy food for all these people." ~ Luke 9:13

Jesus called a meeting of the twelve, gave them power and authority over demons and sickness, and sent them, empty handed, to walk the roads proclaiming his authority. He told them that people along the way would take care of their needs. They did what He said, He did what He said He would do, and word about Him spread. Then a crowd of 5,000 men plus women and children chased him down at Bethsaida. He preached all day till the people were hungry. The twelve encouraged him to send the people to buy their own supper. Jesus told the twelve to feed them, at which they balked. So, Jesus took 5 loaves and 2 fish and fed this huge crowd. He multiplied so much food that there were leftovers. 12 baskets. Could those 12 baskets be for the 12?

He had given them authority and guaranteed provision. They had cast out demons, healed the sick, and found free food and lodging. Yet, when faced with a hungry crowd, they were faithless. I think the 12 baskets were a huge, in your face, "Oh, my goodness," rebuke of their unbelief. Worry and faith do not dwell together. So, in the Sermon On The Mount, Jesus speaks directly to the issue. He asks how we can believe He feeds birds and clothes the fields with flowers and can still worry that He will not take care of us (Matthew 6:25-34)

Jesus is not sympathetic or therapeutic about worry. He is as straightforward as 12 baskets of leftovers. The only answers He gives are 1) don't worry, 2) trust your Father who loves you, and 2) get your focus off of all the stuff you are worrying about and on His kingdom and His righteousness.

In the words of Yoda in Star Wars, "Do or do not. There is no try." We either trust Him, or we worry.

Monday, April 16, 2012

By You and through You we were created. We sinned against our Creator, we pleased our flesh, and fell into the darkness of depravity. We have called evil good and good evil, we have substituted darkness for light and light for darkness, bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. We have become wise in our own opinion and clever in our own sight (Isa.5:20-21). We have walked in darkness, but we have seen a greater light; light has dawned on those living int he land of darkness (Isa.9:2). That light could not be overcome by the darkness. All praise and glory and honor and thanks to You, Lord, for the Word made flesh, Jesus, the light that shined in the darkness of all men. Thank You, Lord, that He was the fullness of You, full of grace and truth, a never ending supply of light that has forever pierced all darkness. Thank You, God, that You have been so gracious to us, so merciful, that we who were not a people are now Your people. How is it that Your own rejected You, and we received You? Thank You, Father and Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Monday, April 2, 2012

The ministry of our friends and IMB missionaries, George and Geraldine Smith﻿, is contantly under attack by the enemy as it reaches into the lost, anamistic, and Islamic culture of East Africa (Read more about them at George & Geraldine).

Well, this weekend, they were directly attacked. The Pastor Training school on Bavuma Island in Lake Victoria was burned out. Someone doused the building with gasoline, set it afire, and everything but the walls are gone: all mission equipment, solar power cells, kitchen supplies, musical instruments, sound systems, clinic supplies, everything.

This is a crucial time for the ministry. Volunteer teams are coming, and they need all these things. Supplies that had been laid up in preparation are now gone. They need financial help now to rebuild. What the enemy means for evil, God means for good. Be part of the good.